Pitt Stop Comments and Suggestions

Contact: 803-957-7367 ext. 1100

Burger King Comments and Suggestions

Contact: 803-957-7367 ext. 1400

Robert Brandi

President and Founder

Robert Brandi came with his family from Pennsylvania to the Columbia, South Carolina area while a high school student. After graduating from Irmo High School in 1970, he was drafted and enlisted in the United States Army. He trained at Fort Jackson and spent most of his military service in Germany. He was assigned to Headquarters and served in the Honor Guard in the United States and abroad. After an honorable discharge, he returned to the Columbia area.

Drawing on the mechanical skills he learned from his father, in 1974 he became a Texaco dealer and began operating a two-bay service station. In 1980, upon opening his first Pitt Stop Convenience Store in Ballentine, he was the first to operate for Texaco as an open dealer.

After adding several more convenience stores, in 1991 he started Brandi Petroleum as a gasoline and fuel wholesale distributor. With the acquisition of seven stores from Wrightway Stores, Inc., in 1998 the chain numbered 25 stores. In 2002, Bob purchased a group of six more stores and became a Burger King restaurant franchisee. Today, with 34 convenience stores and 19 Burger King restaurants, the companies provide hundreds of jobs in the Columbia metropolitan area. In 2012, Bob was awarded SCACS Retailer of the Year.

Bob has been involved through his businesses and raising funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Leukemia Society, the American Diabetes Association, the Children’s Miracle Network, and various other charities. He lives on Lake Murray and enjoys water sports and Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

Janice Stuerke

Executive Vice President of Operations

Born in Kansas City, Janice was an accomplished student with a knack for numbers. She attended Central Missouri State University where she double-majored in Business Management and Accounting. With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, she began her career in public accounting and corporate accounting. In 1986, she moved to the Palmetto State where she joined Brandi Companies, ensuring excellence in operations, employee care, and growth as Vice President of Operations. A mother of three and a grandmother of five, Janice spends her free time with her friends and family in Lexington, South Carolina while she serves as treasurer on multiple executive boards for school improvement, local sports booster clubs, and her homeowner association.

Robert Epting

Vice President of Gas Operations and Wholesale Fuel

A native of Leesville, South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Management, Robert spent his life doing just that. He spent 22 years as a General Manager for Winn- Dixie, then three years at Havird Oil, and three years with the Walmart Corporation. Sixteen years ago, Robert joined us and oversees all fuel operations for Pitt Stop while he supervises the execution of maintenance for all locations, including Pitt Stop and Burger King operations. He serves as a liason between regulatory agencies, as well as between fuel dealers and Brandi Companies. Robert has served several terms as the President of the Lutheran Men’s Group and is currently serving his second term as President of the Western Conference of the South Carolina Lutheran Men in Mission. Six years ago, he established the Food Pantry at Wittenberg Lutheran Church and spends his free time managing that charity with his wife and daughter.

Nick Pinelli

Brand Ambassador & Marketing Director

In 1999, Nick’s family moved from his home town of Denver, Colorado to Columbia, South Carolina. Beginning in 2008, Nick attended Camden Military Academy, where he served as Public Relations Officer, finished first-in-class each year, and achieved the status of Valedictorian and Honor Graduate. He is a distinguished graduate of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets at The Citadel where he studied Political Science and American Politics with an emphasis on Law & Legal Studies. Nick joined Brandi Companies in 2009 as a cashier for Burger King in Ballentine, South Carolina. Today, he oversees all marketing operations, employing the very latest in effective and efficient marketing strategy. He also represents the company by serving as a liaison between the company, vendors, suppliers, press, government, and the public. Nick lives in Charleston, running a Public Relations Firm (Pinelli & Brown Consulting Group), and spends his spare time working on local, state, and national political campaigns.

Mr. Pinelli is Darkness to Light Certified and a Lifetime Voting Member of the Citadel Alumni Association.

Joe Macri

Burger King Director of Operations

A true expert in his field, Joe Macri excels at making the Burger Kings of the Midlands move forward. From Boston, Massachusetts and Certified in Culinary Arts & Foodservice Management, Joe knows the details of quality food service from top to bottom and is one of the most decorated members of our team. From 1989 until 1997, he served as Express Operations Manager for the Taco Bell Corporation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where he improved overall performance of over 50 licensed Taco Bell units through effective oversight of operations. Moving to North Carolina in 1997, he became the Director of Operations for the AT Williams Oil Company where he was responsible for over thirty branded QSR restaurants at Wilco Stations across a four state region. In 1999, he joined the Burger King Corporation in Charlotte, NC as a Franchise Business Leader where he won the Pillar Award for facilitating the execution of brand programs, processes, and procedures while maintaining brand integrity for over 120 Burger King operations in North and South Carolina. Joe joined our team in 2011 and develops high- impact operational training for all unit leaders, resulting in greater job knowledge and exceptional customer service. He resides in Irmo, South Carolina and spends down time boating on Lake Murray and working with Golden Retriever Rescue Clubs of North and South Carolina.

John Tronetti

Executive General Manager

From Belmont, New York, John was a county All-Star in basketball, baseball, and soccer. After four years at Brockport State University, John moved to Houston, Texas where he began his lengthy career in convenience store management. In 1981, John joined 7-11 where he served as a district manager until 1999. In January of 2000, John Tronetti joined Brandi Companies as a supervisor, managing a district of convenience stores. Five years later, John became General Manager of Pitt Stop, overseeing and spearheading operations for all convenience store locations. With thirty-three years of convenience store operations experience, John continues to keep Pitt Stop at the forefront of quality, effective customer service, and satisfaction. John resides in Lexington, South Carolina with his wife and two children.

Conchita Ray

Executive Controller

Hailing from the Midlands of South Carolina, Conchita was the youngest of five Army brat children. Her father retired from the United States Army at Fort Jackson and she began attending Saint Peters Catholic School and Lower Richland High School, from which she would graduate in 1977. Conchita majored in Accounting, Banking, and Finance at Midlands Technical College and spent thirty years putting her skills to work at a local, high-end, men’s clothing store. She joined the company in 2008 and manages all internal audits as executive controller. She is a mother of two and a grandmother of two who enjoys spending her down time in the country with her family and friends.

Accounts Receivable

Contact: 803-957-7367 ext. 1002

Accounts Payable

Contact: 803-957-7367 ext. 1016

Human Resources

Contact: 803-957-7367 ext. 1013

About

Since 1974, Brandi Companies has expanded across the midlands under the leadership of Robert Brandi and his dedicated team members. With 34 convenience stores and 19 Burger Kings, our company provides almost 800 jobs to the people of the Midlands.

Careers

Brandi Companies is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability or veteran status. Always on the lookout for the area's top talent, we offer competitive compensation, ongoing training and support, and an outstanding work culture.